Foreign Coin??

[fairangel]

I found this 8 sided coin, it is reeded on the edges; I don’t know what kind of metal it is. Dealers have looked at it and don't know where it's from or anything about it but all say it's definitely a coin; I can see a couple of numbers in the date, I think they are 17 but can’t be positive. The man has a moustache but it doesn’t show in the picture. The back doesn't appear to have any writing however the coin is very corroded so writing could be there. Anyone have any ideas? I'm afraid to clean it in case it's valuable.

 

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[Montana Jim]

This may help... but better pictures are key to getting help with the item.

 

[fairangel]

Thank you for resizing the pictures, I couldn't get it done. I have tried to more clear pictures & they just don't take. I will keep trying.

 

[Montana Jim]

Thank you for resizing the pictures, I couldn't get it done. I have tried to more clear pictures & they just don't take. I will keep trying.

Use a macro setting - maybe you know someone who can help you.

My initial reaction is that it's a medal dangle, or token, or...? I can clearly see the picture but we would like any clue as to lettering or numbers to best help you out.

 

[fairangel]

Can some one tell me how to clean this without damaging it? I soaked it in olive oil for a few weeks - that didn't work. Thanks!

 

[lazooro]

Looks like Van Gogh

http://i25.tinypic.com/24l807l.jpg

 

[Kieth-Tx]

fairangel-till it is determined what it is...the value of it could drastically change if you clean it.

 

[fairangel]

Thanks LaZoOro, it does look like Van Gough. After your message I started researching, I found one coin so far with him on it and the resemblance is remarkable but it's a rectangular coin.

 

[Montana Jim]

Better pictures?

 

[dsinsc]

I know what it is...

And sorry to say Fairangel it's not a coin. It's a screw cap off an old tube of shaving cream or some other product that came in a tube like toothpaste. Years ago I dug one in perfect condition but laying my hands on it for a pic would be like finding Waldo . See that circle on the back, that's where the part that had the threads was. It's made of a zinc/pewter material so that part on yours rotted away. If you want more proof I'll dig mine up, so to speak, but I promise you that's what it is. I'd say it dates 1910-1930 or so if you want to try to figure out what was in the tube.... Dave

 

[fairangel]

Montana Jim - I keep trying to get better pics but they all turn out about the same.

 

[fairangel]

dsinsc - Thanks! Do those caps have dates on them? On this, with a strong magnifying glass I can see 4 numbers at the bottom, the first two are 17, the last two look like 53 but I am not sure. Do you know what wording I would put in a search to try & locate pictures of the caps? I tried 'old screw caps' using different dates and didn't find anything.

 

[ivan salis]

think mustash wax or tube type shaving cream * hex headed screw on cap for a tube .

 

[fairangel]

thanks ivan! I'll try my luck with that.

 

[dsinsc]

Hi, I'm even newer than you here but after I replied, I looked through my picture files and found a shot of mine, now if I can figure out how to add the pic. I don't see any writing on the front of mine but maybe yours is a little different

 

[fairangel]

Wow dsinc, the pictures are identical, thank you so much, you solved it!!! I have searched for a long time to find out about this and had no luck. I have to ask, how did you identify yours? As for the numbers I saw, maybe some had dates on them to signify something.

 

[dsinsc]

No problem, glad I could help. Mine was easy to figure out because it still has the threaded part. There was all sorts of tubes at the place I found it, some with caps still on them, and if you unrolled them most of the time you could read what was in the tube. The one like yours was found without the tube so I don't really know what it went to but moustache wax or shaving cream seems logical. I'd take it back to those coin dealers and see if they want to make you an offer on it

 

[Montana Jim]

No problem, glad I could help. Mine was easy to figure out because it still has the threaded part. There was all sorts of tubes at the place I found it, some with caps still on them, and if you unrolled them most of the time you could read what was in the tube. The one like yours was found without the tube so I don't really know what it went to but moustache wax or shaving cream seems logical. I'd take it back to those coin dealers and see if they want to make you an offer on it

Great job!